Near Annandale in Fairfax County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Ilda

Photographed by J. J. Prats, November 13, 2010

1. Ilda Marker

Inscription. Ilda, a community located at the intersection of Guinea Road and Little River Turnpike, came into existence after the Civil War and lasted into the first half of the twentieth century. It originated when two freedmen, Horace Gibson and Moses Parker, purchased property from the Gooding family on the north side of the turnpike and established a blacksmith shop. In time, a racially mixed community grew to include a post office. According to tradition, the name “Ilda” was a contraction of the name Matilda Gibson Parker. Descendants of Gibson and Parker were probably buried in a nearby cemetery, perhaps originally created to accommodate Gooding family slaves. The remains were relocated in 2008.

Erected 2009 by The Fairfax County History Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Fairfax County History Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 2008.

Location. 38° 50.3′ N, 77° 15.1′ W. Marker is near Annandale, Virginia, in Fairfax County. It is at the intersection of Little River Turnpike (Virginia Route 236) and Guinea Road, on the left when traveling west on Little River Turnpike. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Annandale VA 22003, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in Northern Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Guinea Road Cemetery Reinterment (approx. ¾ mile away); Gooding's Tavern (approx. 0.8 miles away); Burke’s Station Raid (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Pines (approx. 1.6 miles away); Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park (approx. 1.9 miles away); City of Fairfax Community Services and Recreation (approx. 1.9 miles away); Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (approx. 1.9 miles away); Bog Wallow Ambush (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Annandale.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, November 13, 2010

2. Ilda Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 13, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 6,667 times since then and 191 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 13, 2010, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.